Coronado Municipal Golf Course

Golf on Coronado Island dates to 1897–1898, when a 9-hole private course near the Hotel Del Coronado became one of the first golf sites in California. The current municipal course was designed by Jack Daray Sr. and opened December 19, 1957 — the same year as Torrey Pines — with an inaugural foursome that included Billy Casper and Gene Littler, two Hall of Fame PGA Tour champions who were San Diego-area locals at the time.

Construction of the Coronado Bridge (1966–1969) required acquisition of part of the original course. Jack Daray Jr. redesigned the front nine into its current routing around the bridge construction; the bridge opened August 3, 1969. The redesign created the unique and dramatic relationship between the course and bridge that defines the experience today. A new clubhouse was built in 1997.

Coronado Municipal may be the most scenic affordable golf in America. Views change throughout the round: San Diego skyline and Coronado Bridge on the front nine; Hotel Del Coronado and Glorietta Bay on the back. Holes 15, 16, 17, and 18 all play at or along the waterfront.

The layout is a classic old-school parkland/coastal hybrid — flat enough to walk comfortably. Fairways are wide, greens are well-maintained and can be quick. Note that nearly every hole features a significant dogleg — golfers who rely on a left-to-right ball flight will find most doglegs going the wrong direction.

Course marshals actively enforce pace of play. Morning rounds are ideal for calmer wind conditions and the best light on the bridge and bay.

This is a dogleg course — study hole diagrams before each tee shot. Hitting driver straight is often the wrong play; identify the landing zone that opens the proper approach angle.

On water holes 16, 17, and 18, the bay is on the left. Taking the right side off the tee removes water from play.

Hole 8: placing your tee shot near (not in) the right-side fairway bunker opens the best angle into a slightly elevated green.

Wind off the bay affects club selection on par 3s by one to three clubs — mornings are calmer. Morning tee times are recommended in summer when afternoon sea breezes pick up.